![Florida offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is shown during spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 12, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_231,w_2072,h_1165/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01kpx5zwjy5v3c9vhwrq.jpg "Florida offensive line coach Phil Trautwein is shown during spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 12, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
At this year’s edition of the NFL Draft, Florida should have a couple of offensive linemen drafted in the middle rounds. Austin Barber and Jake Slaughter would both be the first offensive linemen drafted for the Gators since O’Cyrus Torrence went in the 2nd round in 2023, and they would be just the 3rd and 4th since 2020 (Stone Forsythe in 2021).
Meanwhile, Penn State during this time span has had over double the amount of offensive linemen drafted, and Florida is hoping the architect of the offensive line in Happy Valley can restore that NFL pipeline in Gainesville.
Phil Trautwein’s past NFL Draft results prove his worth
Penn State is expected to see guard Olaivavega Ioane go in the middle of the 1st round tonight. Tackle Drew Shelton should also be a day three selection, and fellow tackle Nolan Rucci could sneak in as a 7th round pick.
Phil Trautwein’s first full season at Penn State was in 2020 and he was on staff up until this past year when James Franklin was fired mid season. If all three get picked, that would give Penn State ten offensive linemen drafted since 2021. In the history of Florida, the Gators have never had at least ten offensive linemen selected in a six-year span.
It’s a reminder of what Florida fans are hoping Trautwein can accomplish in Gainesville, and also a reminder of why most fans don’t seem panicked about the offensive line in the long run. It’s no secret that Florida’s offensive line has drawn the ire of Jon Sumrall, and during the spring game, it was by far one of the weakest units on the field. Sumral has commented on the need to step up or otherwise Florida has “no chance” in 2026.
But Trautwein has proven his worth over the years and was probably the most high profile addition to Sumrall’s staff. Trautwein has already been a monster on the recruiting trail and helped land five-star OL Maxwell Hiller while also pushing for several other elite prospects.
And if Trautwein can eventually pump out NFL lineman at the rate he did at Penn State and that gets paired with the speedsters Florida can put on the field, Florida’s offense might get fully unlocked sooner rather than later.
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